Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Lincoln, NE: $14.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Lincoln, NE runs $14.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $29,596 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Lincoln's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.6, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $15.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $17,762 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lincoln, Nebraska, the median hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist is projected to be $14.23 in 2026, which falls slightly below the national figure of $14.59 per hour. This rate offers a decent earning opportunity, particularly for part-time professionals working three days a week in typical environments such as remote offices, hospital coding departments, or physician group practices. For those new to the field, entry-level positions can start around $11.03 hourly, whereas experienced coders may reach up to $20.89 per hour. With the growing demand for coding specialists, particularly in areas like risk adjustment and HCC coding, the hourly rates present a range that can benefit those seeking flexible schedules or per diem opportunities in Lincoln's healthcare landscape.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.03 | $88.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $12.65 | $101.17 |
| Median (P50) | $14.23 | $113.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $17.74 | $141.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $20.89 | $167.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lincoln
Based on $14.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $14.23/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lincoln, NE can expect to earn approximately $29,604 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $17,079. With a cost-of-living index of 91.58 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lincoln.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lincoln
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $569.31 | $2,467 | $29,604 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $341.59 | $1,480 | $17,762 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $227.72 | $987 | $11,842 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Lincoln) | $14.23 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.77 |
| Medical Secretary (National Avg) | $20.19 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Billing and Posting Clerk (National Avg) | $21.86 |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Lincoln, NE earn a median of $29,596 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.48% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 83.80% above the Nebraska state average of $16,102.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $14.23/hr = $17,762/year (purchasing power: $19,395).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $29,604/year (purchasing power: $32,326).
CoL index: 91.581 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$18.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$13.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$14.23/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-19.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Lincoln (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $18.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $13.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $14.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $14.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Lincoln grew -22.9% from $18.03/hr (2021) to $13.91/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $14.56/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical billing and coding specialists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lincoln metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.32% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Medical Billing and Coding Specialist in Lincoln
Transitioning to part-time medical billing and coding work can yield substantial earnings, translating into about $30,000 annually for specialists working three days a week. In a per-diem capacity, independent coders can achieve a billing range between $25 and $42 per hour, with experienced CCS coders earning up to $55 hourly or CRC specialists in Medicare Advantage securing between $40 and $65 per hour. The variations in hourly pay often reflect the type of employer; third-party coding companies and consulting firms may offer higher rates than hospital settings, which often provide benefits such as health insurance. When negotiating pay, specialists in Lincoln should consider the trade-offs between bonus hourly pay and benefits, ensuring they choose a path that aligns with their financial and professional needs.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Lincoln in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Lincoln?
Are medical billing and coding specialists in Lincoln paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time medical billing and coding specialist make per year in Lincoln?
Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in Lincoln?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Nebraska
Written by Amina Patel, CPC
Career Analyst
Amina has 10 years of experience in medical billing. She specializes in outpatient coding for multi-specialty practices.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical billing and coding specialists in Lincoln. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical billing and coding specialists (SOC 29-2072).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, CPC, a licensed medical billing and coding specialist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov